UNION COUNTY, NJ — It started with a collection to help fund a Memorial Day barbecue at the Valley Brook Village veterans facility in Lyons, NJ. When the bucket collection raised $7,000 at John's Meat Market in downtown Scotch Plains, they decided to keep it going and had barbecues all summer. The program has grown to other towns ever since.

Steve Hackenberg, a Scotch Plains native, started the "Buy a Vet..." program first by going to his friends, the Losavio family, the owners of John's Meat Market, which has provided meats for summer barbecues and meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, too. He later approached Rob Watterson at Nick's Pizza & Deli in Fanwood, which led Rocko's Ice Cream, run by Rob's Brother, Brandon Watterson, to join the cause.

"I am a friend to small businesses. I don't walk in and say 'give me.' I say 'Get me the patrons of your businesses'," said Hackenberg, who began this labor of love three years ago. "We take an unconventional approach. All I want is a piece of real estate inside a store. This community has really embraced us."

Hackenberg dedicates his time to helping the residents at Valley Brook. He brings them into the partner establishments, where their meals are paid for from the collection buckets placed in each store.

"Most of the residents at Valley Brook are dealing with some type of issue. Some have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others are recovering addicts," Hackenberg explained. "We have guys who served in the Korean War, who were at the Marine barracks blown up in Lebanon in 1983, and who served in Iraq. These are real American heroes."

The aid Hackenberg provides goes beyond food. The vets are allowed to have one pet dog or cat. He sees that these furry friends have enough food to eat from donations from pet stores. Hackenberg has also provided bicycles for transportation.

"What we can do is only limited by our imagination," Hackenberg explained. "These acts of kindness are felt by these guys. It manifests in their behavior. You can see it."

Ryan Ackerman, a junior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, volunteers collecting pet food for the residents of Valley Brook. He visits periodically to deliver the food and to visit with the vets and their animals.

The "Buy a Vet..." program has expanded from Scotch Plains and Fanwood, where Hackenberg has many connections, to other towns across Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

CLARK, NJ – An ordinance introduced by the Clark Town Council during their August 6 Workshop Meeting will appropriate $400,000 worth of municipal bonds for various public improvements. “This is for the DPW equipment, and some of our traffic lights,” said Mayor Sal Bonaccorso during the meeting.

The council will vote on the ordinance at their Public Meeting on August 20. The meeting will be ...

CLARK, NJ – An ordinance introduced by the Clark Town Council during their August 6 Workshop ...

CLARK, NJ – Six fun-filled weeks at Clark’s Summer Recreation Camp came to a loud and carnival-like close on Thursday. Music, ice cream, dancing and lots of water activities marked the end of another season of a local summer tradition.

“These six weeks just flew by,” said Recreation Director Ralph Bernardo. “It has been a delightful summer. The campers and staff have been wonderful, simply ...

CLARK, NJ – Six fun-filled weeks at Clark’s Summer Recreation Camp came to a loud and carnival-like ...

CLARK, NJ – Proposed renovations to the Clark McDonald’s were approved at last Thursday’s Planning Board Meeting. The board reviewed and approved plans for a new two-lane drive-thru at the McDonald’s as well as cosmetic and signage changes to the facility.

“McDonald’s [restaurants] are going through a corporate rebranding, and improvement in all the facilities is happening across the state of ...

CLARK, NJ – Proposed renovations to the Clark McDonald’s were approved at last Thursday’s Planning ...

CLARK, NJ - Officials at Arthur L. Johnson High School recently announced that 49 students have been recognized as Advanced Placement School Scholars by The College Board. The award recognizes high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams.

“These students have demonstrated their consistency with being able to succeed with college-level work ...

CLARK, NJ - Officials at Arthur L. Johnson High School recently announced that 49 students have ...

CLARK, NJ - A fast-passing thunderstorm brought drenching rains to the start of National Night Out in Clark Tuesday. The wet beginnnings did nothing to diminish the fun, festivities and spirit of the remainder of the evening.

The event was moved to the grounds of the Clark Recreation Center this year allowing for a greater offering of activities. As the community has come to expect there was ...

CLARK, NJ - A fast-passing thunderstorm brought drenching rains to the start of National Night Out ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Ashley Redding was just making a quick run to CVS the night of Jan. 28, 2018. She said told her husband, Quinton Redding, and their three young children that she’d be right back. Instead, she ended up at the hospital.

Redding was driving on Central Avenue when another car, driven by a minor with four other minors in the car, attempted to turn left into the Krauser's parking ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Ashley Redding was just making a quick run to CVS the night of Jan. 28, 2018. She ...

Editor's note: This story was updated at 3:55 p.m. with a correction and a clarification.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Ashley Redding was just making a quick run to CVS the night of Jan. 28, 2018. She said told her husband, Quinton Redding, and their three young children that she’d be right back. Instead, she ended up at the hospital.

Redding was driving on Central Avenue when another car, driven by a ...

Editor's note: This story was updated at 3:55 p.m. with a correction and a ...

CLARK, NJ- The flocks of people registering and checking in, the sound of the motorcycles roaring down the street, it could only be the Blue Knights New Jersey III as they kicked off their Knights of the Woods event at the Deutscher Club on Sunday, August 5, 2018. By 9:00 a.m. the sound of motorcycles filled the air, as riders gathered and readied for the day ahead.

In the crowd were six ...

CLARK, NJ- The flocks of people registering and checking in, the sound of the motorcycles roaring ...

Once again each Monday night, Emma's Brick Oven will have Frank Sinatra songs by Paul Fasone. Can't make it Monday? Tuesday night is Kids Night Out, this week featuring their favorite troll, "Branch".... Don't miss out and bring the kids to join in the fun!!!

Emma's Brick Oven is located at 101 North Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ. You can reach the restaurant at 908-497-1211.

Once again each Monday night, Emma's Brick Oven will have Frank Sinatra songs by Paul Fasone. Can't ...